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If you suffer from GERD or chronic acid reflux disease, you probably already know about taking Nexium for your condition. What you may not realize is that prescription Nexium can help prevent a more serious and related illness, Barrett's Esophagus.
Although not a common condition, Barrett's Esophagus does tend to afflict acid reflux sufferers at a much higher rate. While only a fraction of GERD patients will develop this disease, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting it by keeping acid reflux symptoms in check with Nexium.
In patients with Barrett's Esophagus, the lower portion of the esophagus becomes damaged from constant exposure to stomach acids. Over time, these acids attack the cells inside the esophagus, causing them to darken in color. If excess stomach acids continue to plague the esophagus, the patient then has a greater risk of developing esophageal cancer.
In addition to the darkening of the esophagus, the cells also begin to change their form. The flat cells lining the lower esophagus slowly change shape to resemble a cube structure. This change in cell formation is called metaplasia. These are the symptoms of Barrett's Esophagus.
The key to avoiding Barrett's Esophagus and other GERD related illnesses is prevention. By treating your acid reflux symptoms with Nexium in the early stages, you can greatly reduce your risk of additional health issues. The sooner your doctor prescribes Nexium for your condition, the better your chances of minimizing the long term effects of acid reflux disease.
When GERD is not properly treated, further symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, weight loss, vomiting, loss of appetite, or bloody stools can occur. Once these other symptoms arise, they are usually an indication the patient's acid reflux disease has progressed to something more serious.
While doctors have yet to determine the exact cause of Barrett's Esophagus, they do agree that the condition tends to primarily affect patients with GERD or acid reflux disease. In fact, GERD patients are about five times more likely to suffer from it than the general population.
Additional risk factors include gender, race, and age:
Yes, although there is no known cure for Barrett's Esophagus, the main treatment is to control the acid reflux symptoms to prevent further damage and pain. Besides prescription Nexium, some doctors may choose to prescribe H-2 receptor drugs for treatment. While these drugs are not as powerful as Nexium, they are an alternative for patients needing longer term treatment.
Nexium is a powerful PPI (proton pump inhibitor) drug. Proton pump inhibitors help to soothe inflamed tissue and prevent excess stomach acid from entering the esophagus. In addition to prescription Nexium, other popular PPI drugs include: Prevacid, Prilosec, Aciphex, and Protonix.
Nexium and similar PPI medications are very effective in reducing or eliminating the presence of GERD. However, it's important to note that Nexium cannot reverse Barrett's Esophagus. Currently there is no known cure for this disease. Once the condition is present, the patient is at an increased risk for other illnesses including esophageal cancer.
Unfortunately, getting rid of acid reflux isn't as simple as popping a pill. In addition to taking Nexium to treat GERD, patients also need to make changes to their diet and lifestyle. These further changes help to reduce the recurrence and severity of future bouts of acid reflux disease.
In short, if you don't have heartburn and acid reflux, your risk of Barrett's Esophagus can be greatly reduced.
The following foods and drinks are common acid reflux triggers. While these foods may not cause a reaction in all patients, it is important to consume them in moderation.
Nexium is generally well tolerated by acid reflux patients and can be taken for several months if necessary. Common minor side effects include:
These side effects often disappear after the patient's body adjusts to taking Nexium.
GERD patients can expect an immediate reduction in the painful and unpleasant symptoms associated with acid reflux after starting prescription Nexium. Nexium tablets should be taken once a day to provide 24 hour relief.
Most physicians recommend continuing taking Nexium until painful esophageal erosions have healed. The healing process will vary among individuals but usually takes between 4 to 8 weeks. Additional doses of Nexium may be prescribed if a relapse occurs.
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